Xbox One S: The Pinnacle of Microsoft’s gaming Consoles

Three years ago, Microsoft set out to create the ultimate entertainment gadget. It sought to accomplish this through the release of Xbox One. The goal was to make this gadget the one thing that could connect with everything in your living room; the Cable TV, games, video streaming, sports, and so on. They declared that this would the first device one switch on, once you are in your living room. Three years on, this dream has not exactly been fulfilled with the old device.

Now, with Xbox One S, one could say this is the gaming device they had initially sought to create. However, the focus with this new gadget is much more streamlined. Here are the key features in this new gaming console.

Key Features in Xbox One S

The very first thing that you will note is that the new version is smaller by 40%. It’s a slim white box that is quite stylish. The smaller size has been made possible by integrating the power supply into the console. That means that there is now no need for a power adapter like in the old console.

The Xbox One S emits less heat compared to the original one. While it still gives out a considerable amount of heat, it is now possible to store it in a well ventilated TV cabinet. It is also possible to stand it up vertically in a much smaller space.

Xbox One S has also received a significant power upgrade from the earlier version. It also has the 4K-upscalling in addition to the capability to support Blu-ray discs. In fact, Microsoft has been marketing Xbox One S as the cheapest 4-K Blur-ray player in the market. The Blu-ray support capability comes as the latest update for the new console.

The console has a porous white exterior and a reconfigured front panel. The back also has an HDMI 2.0a port which enables HDCP 2.2, thus allowing the streaming of 4K videos and movies, as well as HDR games such as Rise of the Tomb Raider and Fallout 4.

The implication here might be the fragmentation of the Xbox user base. Owning Xbox One S means that one can play games that are system exclusive such as Forza Horizon 3 and Gear of War 4. For the owners of Xbox One, they can only see these games in a standard color range. This means that the old and new owners of Xbox may not discuss the beauty of this game in the same way.

These upgrades come with one trade off though – the Xbox One S lacks the standard Kinect port. One can still use a Kinect by connecting a USB adapter. In appreciation of this fact, Microsoft has promised to provide a free USB adapter to any Xbox owner who asks for one. Considering that the use of the Kinect sensor has not really caught on, not many gamers might miss it.

It is yet to be seen whether the tradeoff will work for or against Microsoft. However, one thing that is certain is that this is the best console the brand has produced so far. It is the best system, the best hardware, and the best priced one so far, compared to others in its performance range.

Other Important Features in Xbox One S

The controller of the new console also has an important feature – the Bluetooth support. This does not mean that you can use the controller from another room in your house. Instead, it can connect easily with a PC without the need for an adapter. Therefore, if you prefer playing games from a PC, this works perfectly for you.

While the controller is barely different from that of the original version, the frame has been tweaked a bit to improve its grip.

Verdict on the New Console

One – There is no doubt that this version has many benefits compared to Xbox One. If you are a game lover, this is certainly a device you should go for.

Two – If you own Xbox One, there may not be any major departures; therefore, the decision to buy the new version might largely be on the look and design. If not, you may choose to wait for a possible upgrade on X Box S.

Either way, owners of Xbox One S offer players a more exciting experience in gaming.

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Our writers have a combined thirty years of gaming experience. We have played on every device known to man and can still kick your a** on a Sega Genesis.